Kent Scientific CODA User manual

CODA™Noninvasive
Blood Pressure
System
User’s Guide for
High Throughput Systems

©2020 Kent Scientific Corporation, Documentation Version 3.0 and Software 4.2
CODA™Noninvasive
Blood Pressure
System
User’s Guide for
High Throughput Systems

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
System Components ....................................................................1
About the CODA® Noninvasive
Blood Pressure System............................................................... 2
CODA PC Software
Software System Requirements .............................................. 3
Installing the CODA Software ................................................... 3
Using the CODA Software .........................................................4
Best Data Practices ..................................................................... 7
Using the CODA
Set Up Hardware .......................................................................... 8
Configure Settings....................................................................... 8
Connect the Animal................................................................... 10
CODA Tips ....................................................................................13
Diagnostic Procedures / Troubleshooting
CODA Cu & Bladder Maintenance....................................... 14
Device Tests and Other Diagnostic Procedures ................ 14
Improving Your Data ..................................................................17
CODA Error Messages ..............................................................18
Cleaning and Decontamination.............................................. 19
General Information
Contact........................................................................................ 20
Warranty ..................................................................................... 20
Satisfaction Guarantee ..............................................................21
Specifications ..............................................................................21
Index...................................................................................................23

1
Introduction
The CODA is not designed, intended, or authorized for use in human applications.
System Components
Front Controller Panel
Rear Controller Panel

2
About the CODA Noninvasive Blood Pressure System
The Method
An occlusion tail cu is inflated to momentarily impede blood flow to an animal’s
tail. The cu is deflated slowly and a second tail cu, incorporating Volume Pressure
Recording (VPR) technology, measures the physiological characteristics of the returning
blood flow. As the blood returns to the tail, the VPR cu measures the tail swelling
that results from arterial pulsations from the blood flow. Systolic blood pressure is
measured automatically at the first appearance of tail swelling. Diastolic blood pressure
is measured automatically when the rate of swelling stops increasing in the tail.

3
CODA PC Software
The CODA PC software controls the system and allows you to set up, run, and monitor blood
pressure from a desktop or laptop computer.
Software System Requirements
Operating System: Windows® 7, 64 bit
Windows® 8, 64 bit
Windows® 10, 64 bit
Processor: 2.0 GHz or higher
RAM: 2 GB for 64 bit
USB Ports: 1
Cards: Video card, 1024x768 resolution
Internet Connection: Yes
If you purchased your PC outside of the US,
some of your Regional and Language settings
will require adjustment:
1. Open the Windows Control Panel and
select Regional and Language Options.
2. At the Regional Options tab, select the
language that most closely matches your
location, and click Customize.
3. In both the Numbers and Currency tabs,
set Decimal Symbol to be a point (.).
Installing the CODA Software
1. Ensure that your account has full administrative rights.
2. Close all open applications on the PC.
3. Connect your CODA to the PC.
4. Open provided CODA software link.
(The CODA Software is provided via email link with the subject line “CODA
Software Link and Shipping Details”. If no link is provided, contact Kent
Scientific.)
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the CODA software.

4
The CODA software installer cannot be used across
multiple accounts on a shared computer system. It
must be installed on a single computer under only one
account log-in.
Using the CODA Software
1. Open the CODA Software and select the CODA device.
o When you open the CODA Software, the Device Manager appears. Click Use
All Displayed Devices to proceed using the detected CODA.
2. Create or add to your list of Users, if necessary.
o You must create a database of Users, Animals, and Animal Groups for your
experiments. You will select items from these categories for each individual
experiment you create. Create your database with the User and Animal
Manager. You may enter the information for your upcoming experiment only
or the information that you plan to use for future experiments.
Device Manager Screen:

5
User and Animal Manager Screen 1:
User and Animal Manager Screen 2:

6
3. Create a new Experiment, and run a new Session of that experiment. Once you
have created an experiment, you can return to it later to add additional sessions.
o Before you can run an experiment, you must create it by giving it a name and
assigning Users and Animals. Once you have created the experiment, you
can return to it at any time for additional sessions.
User and Animal Manager Screen 3:

7
Best Data Practices
• Kent Scientific strongly recommends that you back up your database regularly,
and also Export your sessions to a PDF or .csv file after every run.
• Take extra care when deleting records, including Animals, Users, Experiments, or
Sessions. In certain cases, this will delete all data associated with that record
from your software. Confirm that you have made a PDF or .csv backup of any
associated data before deleting records.
• After each session is complete, take an average of the session readings. Be sure
to use at least 10 ‘accepted’ readings and increase your cycles as needed. If you
are unable to collect 10 accepted readings per session, see Troubleshooting on
page 13 and contact Kent Scientific for assistance.

8
Using the CODA
Set Up Hardware
Cuffs:
1. Attach the VPR cus to the white VPR ports.
2. Attach the Occlusion cu to the black O-Cu ports.
3. Power on the CODA Warming Platform.
Configure Settings
Warming Platform Settings
There are 6 warming levels available. Press the Up and
Down buttons to scroll through Levels 1-3. Press and
Hold the Up button for approximately 10 seconds to
access higher levels 4-6.
Tip: Set your platform to Level 3, then adjust as
needed.
1. Press the Up and Down buttons to select a warming level.

9
2. If you are using animal holders, place the empty holders on the warming
platform and cover them with the CODA Warming Cover to pre-warm them.
3. Start the warming platform by pressing the START/STOP button on the
platform.
4. Allow empty holders to pre-warm while configuring software settings.
CODA Software Settings
1. Open the CODA software.
2. Select the CODA device, then click File > New > Experiment or
File > New > Session.
3. Enter session settings:
Tip:
o For conscious mice and all anesthetized animals,
select a Deflation Time of 20 seconds and a
Minimum Volume of 15uL.
o For conscious rats, select a Deflation Time of 15
seconds and a Minimum Volume of 20uL.
Experiment Wizard Screen 1:

10
Connect the Animals
1. Once software settings are configured, restrain animals by placing them in
holders or inducing anesthesia.
If you are using the holders:
a. Remove the rear hatch of the animal holder.
b. Adjust the nose cone to the front of the holder and tighten the screw.
c. Place the animal into the holder. Allow the animal to enter the holder freely,
using as little force as possible.
d. Replace the rear hatch, ensuring that the animal’s tail extends beyond the
end of the hatch.
e. Adjust the nose cone so that the animal appears comfortable but movement
is limited.
Tip: If your animal can turn around in the holder, use a smaller
holder size.
2. Place the animals on the Warming Platform.
Tip: Make sure the entire length of the animal’s tail rests on
the warming platform.
3. Position the cus on the animal’s tail:
• Place the O-cu first so that it is near the base of the tail. It should slide
freely, but fit closely.
Slide the O-cu towards the base of the tail until you begin to
encounter resistance. Do not force the cu onto the tail.
A properly fitting cu moves freely and fits loosely when the
cu is deflated, but firmly when inflated. The O-cu does not
need to reach the base of the tail.
A cu that is too tight compresses underlying blood vessels,
resulting in poor blood pressure readings.
If a cu feels tight, try using a larger O-cu. If the cu slides
up the entire length of the tail or fits very loosely, try using a
smaller O-cu.

11
• Slide the VPR cu up the tail, with the larger diameter end first.

12
Do not force the cu onto the tail. The VPR cu does not need
to reach the O-cu. Measurements can be detected from any
part of the tail as long as a sucient portion of the tail is inside
the VPR cu.
4. Before you begin blood pressure measurements, measure the temperature
at the base of the tail with the provided non-contact infrared thermometer. The
tail temperature should be between 32° and 35°C.
Note: Do not start the experiment if any tail temperature is
below 32°C. It may take several minutes for the animals’ tails
to reach the proper temperature.
Animal behavior and physiology, ambient room temperature,
and experimental protocols can aect an animal’s tail
temperature. Some animals may require more warming than
others. Closely monitor the animals and adjust warming
settings as necessary.
Expected Graph Shape:
5. Click Start to begin measurements.

13
CODA Tips
• Choose a warm, quiet room for blood pressure measurements. Avoid high-trac
or noisy locations.
• Blood pressures may vary throughout the day. If repeated measurements are
necessary, schedule them for approximately the same time each day.
• Cu bladders can deteriorate over time. To prolong the life of the cus and
bladders, store them in the provided storage case when not in use.
• If you are using an animal holder, ensure that the animal fits snugly. If the animal
appears overly constrained, adjust the nose cone or use a larger size holder.
• Training sessions may be beneficial for some animals.
o If training is required, we recommend three to four 15-minute training
sessions in the days prior to beginning your study.
• When you use the CODA in anesthetized animals, induce slowly and at the
lowest possible dose to minimize the depressant eects of the anesthetic
agents.
o We strongly recommend inhalant anesthetics at low doses.
• Cus should be neither too tight nor too loose. If the cus feel tight, try using a
larger size. Properly fitting cus will move freely and fit firmly during inflation.
o The need for a larger O-Cu does not necessarily mean a larger VPR sensor
is required.
• Before beginning the experiment, verify that the animal’s tail temperature is
between 32°C and 35°C.
o Do not start the experiment if the animal’s tail temperature is less than 32°C.
• Once the experiment has begun, refrain from manipulating the animals.
• Be sure to use at least 10 ‘accepted’ readings and increase your cycles as
needed. A total of 15-20 cycles per session may be necessary to achieve 10
‘accepted’ readings.

14
Diagnostic Procedures / Troubleshooting
CODA Cu and Bladder Maintenance
Bladders in both the O-Cus and VPR cus require periodic replacement. Replacement
bladders are included with your CODA Cu Kit.
Bladder shelf life is approximately a year. Use only fresh Kent
Scientific pre-measured cu-bladder replacements. Other
materials or replacement bladders could seriously aect the
accuracy of your CODA system.
1. Remove the external rubber washers (O-Rings) or caps that secure the bladder
at each end.
2. Slide the old bladder out through either end of the cu and discard it.
3. Insert the new bladder into the cu.
4. Fold the bladder over each end of the cu. Be careful not to overstretch the
bladder material.
5. Secure the bladder to the cu by sliding the O-rings or caps over the ends and
toward the middle of the cu.
If needed, trim excess material from the ends of the bladders.
Avoid twists or wrinkles in the bladder as much as possible.
Prolong the life of your cus and bladder by returning them to
their re-sealable bags and storing them in an air tight container
when not in use.
Device Tests and Other Diagnostic Procedures
To test the CODA controller for internal leaks:
1) Remove the cus, and place all of the caps very tightly on each of channels.
2) Set up a new experiment as if you were measuring animals.
3) Start the experiment.
In the event of an error message or deviation from the expected graph shape,
contact Kent Scientific Corporation.

15
To test the cuffs for leaks:
1) Remove the cus, and place all of the caps very tightly on each of the channels.
2) Connect the first set of cus to be tested on Channel 1, leaving all other
channels capped.
3) Set up a new experiment as if you were measuring animals.
4) Start the experiment.
a. In the event of an error message or deviation from the expected graph
shape, replace the bladders and repeat.
5) Pause the experiment and connect the second set of cus, leaving the other
channels capped.
6) Resume the experiment and repeat until all cus have been connected and
tested.

16
Examples of Cu Leaks:

17
Improving your Data
Problem Possible Cause Solutions
Measurements are
significantly lower
than expected.
Tail temperature is too low. • Ensure that the base of the tail measures at
least 32°C. Increase warming if necessary.
Cus are wrong size. • Ensure that the cus are not too loose or
too tight on the tail.
Cu bladders are leaking. • Replace the cu bladders.
Measurements are
significantly higher
than expected.
Cus are too tight. • Use a larger cu.
• Slide the cus down the tail until they are
no longer tight.
Cu bladders are installed
too tightly.
• Re-install new bladders, ensuring that the
bladders do not have excess tension inside
the cu.
The graphed blue
line is flat with
invalid blood
pressure values.
Cus are wrong size. • Ensure that the cus are not too loose or
too tight on the tail.
Animal is dead or under
physiological stress.
• Monitor animal, ensure the tail temperature
measures at least 32°C.
• If anesthetized, reduce anesthetic dosage
when possible.
Cus are no longer on
animal’s tail.
• Pause the Software and replace the cus.
Heart rate values
are not detected,
or read 0bpm.
Cus are wrong size. • Ensure that the cus are not too loose or
too tight on the tail.
Tail temperature is too low. • Ensure that the base of the tail measures at
least 32°C. Increase warming if necessary.
Software is installed
incorrectly.
• Confirm PC requirements for software, and
verify all Regional Settings are correct.
System is detecting outside
vibration.
• Ensure that the equipment is in a quiet area,
away from any causes of white noise or
vibrations.